Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen listen to him!"

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen listen to him!" - Luke 9:35 St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church Transfiguration of Our Lord February 10, 2013 P.O. Box 411 Mars, PA 16046-0411 www.stjohnchurchmars.org Phone: 724-625-1830 email: office@stjohnchurchmars.org Pastor s cell: 724-766-6686 Pastor s email: pastormarkbringman@gmail.com Rev. Mark Bringman, Pastor Jacob Gordon, Director of Music

We welcome you to St. John Lutheran Church. We are delighted to have you worship with us this morning. Should you have no permanent church-home in this community, why not consider making this one your own? Please sign the guest book as you leave worship today or the attendance pad in the pew. You are most welcome here at St. John! Most elements of our service can be found in the bulletin, everything else is in the hymnal. Page refers to the numbered pages towards the front of the hymnal, hymns are bold and towards the back. Please rise when there is an *, congregational responses are in bold, and underlined elements of the service are found in the hymnal. HOLY COMMUNION Transfiguration of Our Lord February 10, 2013 Witnesses to the glory of God in the face of Jesus will be unable to avoid reflecting that glory in the world. It was true for Moses. It was doubtless true for Peter, James, and John. We pray that it will be true of all of us who see the glory of the Lord in the word and in the supper and who are being "transformed into the same image" by the Spirit of God. PRELUDE: Alleluia, Song of Gladness - Robert Buckley Farlee ANNOUNCEMENTS THANKSGIVING FOR BAPTISM In the name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God's mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight. Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit. By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all. We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love. To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever. *GATHERING SONG #315: How Good, Lord, to Be Here! 2

*GREETING The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you. *KYRIE 3

* THIS IS THE FEAST *PRAYER OF THE DAY Let us pray. Holy God, mighty and immortal, you are beyond our knowing, yet we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Transform us into the likeness of your Son, who renewed our humanity so that we may share in his divinity, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. 4

FIRST READING: Exodus 34:29 35 Moses' face shone with the reflected glory of God after he received the ten commandments on Mount Sinai. The sight caused the Israelites to be afraid, so Moses wore a veil to mask the radiance of God's glory, taking it off when he spoke directly with God. 29 Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two tablets of the covenant in his hand, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. 30 When Aaron and all the Israelites saw Moses, the skin of his face was shining, and they were afraid to come near him. 31 But Moses called to them; and Aaron and all the leaders of the congregation returned to him, and Moses spoke with them. 32 Afterward all the Israelites came near, and he gave them in commandment all that the LORD had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses had finished speaking with them, he put a veil on his face; 34 but whenever Moses went in before the LORD to speak with him, he would take the veil off, until he came out; and when he came out, and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, 35 the Israelites would see the face of Moses, that the skin of his face was shining; and Moses would put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with him. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. PSALM 99 SECOND READING: 2 Corinthians 3:12 4:2 In his debates with the Corinthians, Paul contrasts the glory of Moses with the glory of Christ. The Israelites could not see Moses' face because of the veil. But in Christ we see the unveiled glory of God and are transformed into Christ's likeness. 3:12 Since, then, we have such a hope, we act with great boldness, 13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face to keep the people of Israel from gazing at the end of the glory that was being set aside. 14 But their minds were hardened. Indeed, to this very day, when they hear the reading of the old covenant, that same veil is still there, since only in Christ is it set aside. 15 Indeed, to this very day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their minds; 16 but when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 4:1 Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. 2 We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God. 5

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION *GOSPEL READING: Luke 9:28 36 The conversation about Jesus' suffering and death is enclosed in a dazzling foreshadowing of the resurrection. God affirms Jesus' identity, the disciples are stunned speechless, and Jesus resumes his mission with a demonstration of his power over evil. The holy gospel according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord. 28 Now about eight days after these sayings Jesus took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. 30 Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, "Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah" not knowing what he said. 34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. 35 Then from the cloud came a voice that said, "This is my Son, my Chosen listen to him!" 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen. The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ. CHILDREN S SERMON SERMON *HYMN OF THE DAY #316: Oh, Wondrous Image, Vision Fair *NICENE CREED We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, 6

of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. *PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION Called by the Holy Spirit into relationship with a loving God, we pray for the church, all in need, and the whole creation. God of glory and grace, you answer those who call on your name. Continue the transformation of your church so that we may share your love with the world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Let the mountains and valleys that you created be places of worship. Help us to treat your good creation with the respect that it deserves. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Let the rulers of the earth honor your decrees and uphold your statutes so that your peace would reign throughout the earth. Give mercy to the poor, justice to the weak and voice to the oppressed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Heal the sick, comfort the grieving, send peace to the dying and companionship to those in prison, whether the prison is one for correction or one built of human loneliness. Be with all who suffer, especially Wally, George, Wanda Jean, Winnie, Helen, Virginia, Margaret, Francis & Grace, Kathryn, Ed, Fred & Jane, and David & Ellen. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. You spoke to Israel in a pillar of cloud. Speak to this community of faith so that we might be a place of refuge and help for our neighbors. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Holy Spirit, keep us in your care until we gather with all the saints from every time and place in the company of our sovereign God. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer. Into your loving hands, gracious God, we place ourselves and all our prayers, spoken and unspoken, trusting in your mercy through Jesus Christ, our Savior. 7

*PEACE The peace of the Lord be with you always. And also with you. OFFERING OFFERING HYMN #671: Shine, Jesus, Shine *OFFERING PRAYER Let us pray, Holy God, gracious and merciful, you bring forth food from the earth and nourish your whole creation. Turn our hearts toward those who hunger in any way, that all may know your care; and prepare us now to feast on the bread of life, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. *DIALOGUE The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give our thanks and praise. *PREFACE It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God. through our Savior Jesus Christ; who, sharing our life, lived among us to reveal your glory and love, that our darkness should give way to your own brilliant light. And so, with all the choirs of angels, with the church on earth and the hosts of heaven, we praise your name and join their unending hymn: *HOLY, HOLY, HOLY 8

*THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE Blessed are you, O holy God: you are the Life and Light of all. By your powerful word you created all things. Through the prophets you called your people to be a light to the nations. Blessed are you for Jesus, your Son. He is your Light, shining in our darkness and revealing to us your mercy and might. In the night in which he was handed over, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me. Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me. Remembering, therefore, his preaching and healing, his dying and rising, and his promise to come again, we await that day when all the universe will rejoice in your holy and life-giving light. By your Spirit bless us and this meal, that, refreshed with this heavenly food, we may be light for the world, revealing the brilliance of your Son. Through him all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. *LORD'S PRAYER Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen 9

INVITATION TO COMMUNION Come to the table. Feast on God's abundant life for you. COMMUNION The body of Christ, given for you. The blood of Christ, shed for you. In response to Jesus invitation, all are welcome to come forward and experience the real presence of Christ in the bread and wine of communion. Through this meal, we know forgiveness, life and salvation as the blessings of God s sacramental grace. All are invited forward for communion or a blessing. The inner ring of individual cups has grape juice. COMMUNION SONG: Lamb of God COMMUNION HYMN #838: Beautiful Savior *POST-COMMUNION BLESSING The body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ strengthen and preserve you in grace. 10

*POST-COMMUNION SONG: Now, Lord, You Let Your Servant Go in Peace *PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION Let us pray, We thank you, O God, that you have fed us at your banqueting table with bread and wine beyond compare, the very life of Christ for us. Send your Spirit with us now, that we may set the captive free, use your gifts to build one another up, and in everything reflect your glory revealed in Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. *BLESSING The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord's face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. *SENDING SONG #318: Alleluia, Song of Gladness *DISMISSAL Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God. POSTLUDE: Oh Wondrous Image, Vision Fair - Stephen Gabrielsen 11

Assisting Minister (8:00 a.m.): Matt Claus Ushers (8:00 a.m.): Clarence & Marlene Strabel Acolyte (8:00 a.m.): Danielle Dishong Communion Assistant (8:00 a.m.): Marlene Strabel Counters: Jamie Weaver & Sally Foster Assisting Minister (10:30 a.m.): Missy Kramer Ushers (10:30 a.m.): Keith & Valerie Cardinal Acolyte (10:30 a.m.): Madison Cardinal Communion Assistant (10:30 a.m.): Denise Hager Attendance Last Week: 57 Attendance Last Year: 74 Budgeted Weekly Need: $2,669.62 Last Week s Giving: $4,801.00; earmarked $90. (2013 Annual Budget of $138,820 divided by 52 weeks) Year to Date Receipts: $15,067.00 YTD Budgeted Expenses: $16,017.69 (Weekly Expense YTD Actual Expenses: $10,975.10 Need multiplied by 6 weeks - as of 2/10/13) From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2013 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #39383. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 12